Wimbledon 2024: Carlos Alcaraz beats Aleksandar Vukic in entertaining display to reach third round

Defending champion Carlos Alcaraz entertained fans on Court One with a stunning second-round victory over Australia’s Aleksandar Vukic.

The pair played out a thrilling topsy-turvy opening set before the Spaniard took control and wrapped up a 7-6 (7-5) 6-2 6-2 victory.

Alcaraz is attempting to win back-to-back major titles after triumphing at the French Open last month.

“I’m really happy about my performance today,” the 21-year-old said.

“The first set was the key for me to pull out all the nerves. It was really close.”

After coming through a five-setter against Sebastian Ofner in the first round, Vukic appeared fatigued and trailed 5-2 against Alcaraz in the first set.

However, he soon sparked to life, dealing with the three-time major winner’s mix of crafty drop shots and powerful groundstrokes to win successive breaks and force a tie-break.

It looked like he would make another comeback in the tie-break, scrapping his way back from 5-1 down to 5-4.

But Alcaraz stepped up the intensity to take the opener before dominating in the final two sets.

The world number three will face American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe, who he defeated in the semi-finals en route to his US Open win in 2022.

“We played a really good match in the US Open. I know that he is a really talented player, he is even tougher here on grass with his style,” said Alcaraz.

“It’s going to be a really difficult match for me but I’m ready to take that challenge, I’m ready to play a really high level of tennis.”

Tiafoe made it into the third round with a 7-6(5) 6-1 6-3 win against Croatia’s Borna Coric.